distinguish differentiate discriminate
Helge Hielscher
is there a difference in meaning and/or usage of distinguish,
differentiate or discriminate?
TIA,
Helge Hielscher
X-Post. Please set F-Up if appropriate.
Barry Etheridge
Distinguish tends to be used in judgements of value on the positive side.
Differentiate tends to be used for items that are value free.
Discriminate tends to be used for values of judgement of value on the
negative side, hence the bad reputation of discrimination.
So while an all-A student is distinguished, twin all-A students may only be
differentiated by the length of their hair, and a geeky all-A student may
find himself discriminated against despite his success.
"Helge Hielscher" <hhiel...@unternehmen.com> wrote in message
news:b6nd1d$uej$01$1...@news.t-online.com...
Triffid
Distinguish highlights good. (distinguished career)
Differentiate tells a difference (differential equation)
Discriminate picks good from dross. (in radio terms)
Discriminate implies prejudice (in pc speak)
meirman
<pun...@btspamworld.com> posted:
>Helge Hielscher wrote:
>> Hello,
>>
>> is there a difference in meaning and/or usage of distinguish,
>> differentiate or discriminate?
>>
>> TIA,
>> Helge Hielscher
>>
>> X-Post. Please set F-Up if appropriate.
Both you and Barry have used only certain applications of each word.
I would say that in a comparison of the three:
>Distinguish highlights good. (distinguished career)
Distinguish means to find a difference from one to another without
necessarily identifying it. To perceive as different. Bob
distinguished Joe's career from Steve's.
>Differentiate tells a difference (differential equation)
If there is a difference from distinguish, differentiate means to
itemize the differences.
>Discriminate picks good from dross. (in radio terms)
>Discriminate implies prejudice (in pc speak)
Discriminate means to act on the distinctions one has identified.
When the distinctions are considered valid, no one complains.
When they're not, people do complain, but it's the nature of the
distinctions that makes the difference. Except for morons who say
about something they think is bad which aren't bad, such as "He wants
to eat the red M&M's but not the yellow one's. That's discrimination"
Yes it is, but that doesn't mean it's bad. There's discrimination and
invidious discrimination. The second is bad.
It's one thing to adopt new meanings for words, but it's not so good
to ignore the other current meanings.
Here's AHD3 and it includes all of them: dis·crim·i·nate
(d¹-skr¹m“…-n³t”) v. dis·crim·i·nat·ed, dis·crim·i·nat·ing,
dis·crim·i·nates. --intr. 1.a. To make a clear distinction;
distinguish. b. To make sensible decisions; judge wisely. 2. To make
distinctions on the basis of class or category without regard to
individual merit; show preference or prejudice. --tr. 1. To perceive
the distinguishing features of; recognize as distinct. 2. To
distinguish by noting differences; differentiate. -
s/ meirman If you are emailing me please
say if you are posting the same response.
Born west of Pittsburgh Pa. 10 years
Indianapolis, 7 years
Chicago, 6 years
Brooklyn NY 12 years
Baltimore 17 years
John O'Flaherty
<hhiel...@unternehmen.com> wrote:
>Hello,
>
>is there a difference in meaning and/or usage of distinguish,
>differentiate or discriminate?
Only the most discriminating can distinguish the differences.
--
john
Phil Carmody
> Helge Hielscher wrote:
>> Hello,
>>
>> is there a difference in meaning and/or usage of distinguish,
>> differentiate or discriminate?
>>
>> TIA,
>> Helge Hielscher
>>
>> X-Post. Please set F-Up if appropriate.
>
> Distinguish highlights good. (distinguished career)
As an anomalous dichromat, I can't distinguish red from green.
Perhaps you can help me - can you tell me which of red and green
is the "good" colour?
Phil
Dr Robin Bignall
Red is the colour of choice if you were born on Mars: otherwise green
unless you are a fish or a bird, in which case it's blue. Yellow if you're
a sort of insect.
I hope that helps.
--
wrmst rgrds
Robin Bignall
Remote Hertfordshire
England